2012 mini cooper Model Overview

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3 of 5

The Mini Cooper has enjoyed tremendous success since the brand was re-launched by BMW in 2001, and that success has helped the Mini lineup grow twice in size. Looking at the Mini lineup in 2010, there were only three versions: the two-door Cooper coupe and convertible, and the three-door Clubman. Now there are six versions, with the addition of the Countryman crossover, Coupe, and Roadster. Although different, each variant is a well-built, fun-to-drive, premium compact car.

Every Mini variant (except the Countryman) also includes a choice of three basic trim levels–standard, ‘S’ and John Cooper Works (JCW). As expected, each trim level receives more equipment as standard, while also gaining more power and a more sporting state of suspension tune. Base Cooper models receive a naturally aspirated 121-hp 1.6-liter engine and modest suspension setup, while the S and JCW treatments supply a 181-hp turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter mill and more aggressive spring and damper rates, among other revisions. Instead of the JCW for the Countryman, the crossover can be upgraded to the Cooper S ALL4 trim, which uses Mini’s permanent all-wheel-drive system.

Each Mini is also fully customizable, with standalone options that include the signature white or black racing stripes on the hood, to a bevy of packages that include Premium, Sport, Technology, Cold Weather, Mini Yours, and a John Cooper Works package.

Body styles: Hatch, convertible

Engines: 1.6-liter I-4, 1.6-liter turbo I-4

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic, 6-speed manual

Models: Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works

Convenience and Value packages are replaced by Premium and Technology packages. Mini Yours introduces new customization options for upholstery, interior surfaces, and unique exterior colors such as Highclass Grey metallic and Laguna Green metallic, so buyers can create and design their Mini in detail. Now optional is a rearview mirror with a digital compass, and Mini offers an eight-gear collapsible bike that weighs about 24 lbs that fits in the back of a Cooper hatch.

The 2012 Mini features the same cute good looks as it did upon launch nearly a decade ago. Rear window wipers, 15-inch wheels, chrome grille, and body-colored bumpers come standard on the Cooper hardtop, but a slew of exterior detail options include Mini’s signature racing stripes across the hood, chrome mirror caps, and decorative decals. The Cooper hardtop can also wear a more aggressive mug thanks to the John Cooper Works trim, which adds bigger wheels, hood scoop, and black mesh grille.

While the higher-performance Mini Cooper S and JCW trims enhance driving experience with added power, the base Cooper model with 121 hp underneath the hood is still enjoyable. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 16.4 seconds, ending with a trap speed of 83.9 mph. The Mini is incredibly agile, completing the figure eight-in 26.6 seconds. A Sport button on the center console changes throttle mapping to a hyper-aggressive setting and adds loading resistance to the electric steering.

While the higher-performance Mini Cooper S and JCW trims enhance driving experience with added power, the base Cooper model with 121 hp underneath the hood is still enjoyable. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds, and a quarter mile time of 16.4 seconds, ending with a trap speed of 83.9 mph. The Mini is incredibly agile, completing the figure eight-in 26.6 seconds. A Sport button on the center console changes throttle mapping to a hyper-aggressive setting and adds loading resistance to the electric steering.

Six airbags with side curtains, stability and traction control, anti-lock braking system (ABS), cornering brake control (CBC), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), tire pressure monitoring system, breakaway engine, and advanced crumple zones are standard across all models. Daytime running lights and Xenon headlights are optional. Crash Sensor is also standard, which automatically turns on hazards, interior lights, unlocks doors, and cuts off fuel supply once the airbags are deploy in the event of a crash.

2012 MINI Cooper Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$19,500

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$12,525

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

2012 MINI Cooper News and Reviews

Five passengers can fit inside a 2012 Mini hatchback if they squeeze in, but a team of gymnasts managed to cram in a few more than that -- 23 more, to be exact. The ladies set a Guinness World Record for the number of people inside a 2012 Mini, breaking their previous Guinness world record of 27. They didn't stop…

The Mini GP is back, and it's just as bad as it's always been. Mini will release the 2000-unit 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP sporty hatchback at this year's Paris Motor Show.The last time we saw a Mini John Cooper Works GP (Mini GP for shorthand), it was 2006 and the first generation of the retro-styled Mini was ending…

When it comes to deciding which car to buy, there are many factors to consider: sticker price, efficiency, safety ratings, and durability.But one often overlooked component of the decision-making process is the cost to insure a vehicle. And while monthly insurance premiums shouldn’t be a decisive factor in selecting which car to drive, prices can vary by up to $75…

We thought we'd seen the smallest Mini with the Coupe and Rocketman concept, but the automaker has prepared yet another pint-sized creation that debuts at the Olympics. The appropriately named Mini Mini is the newest addition to the fleet of Olympic cars, but unlike the BMW 1 Series ActiveE and Mini E, the Mini Mini is remote-controlled.Unlike the Olympic duties…

A lawsuit has been filed against Mini in Florida, with plaintiffs claiming the continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) on certain models can prematurely fail due to a “manufacturing defect.” The suit is the latest development in a series of recent complaints over reliability of CVTs in Mini models, The Wall Street Journal reports.The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court…